General Information
Duration: 10 days/9 nights
Start/End: Paro/Bumthang
Tour Route: Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In Paro (D)
Day 2: Paro – Thimphu Biking (B, L)
Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing (B)
Day 4: Thimphu – Royal Botanical Park – Dochula Pass – Wangdue Biking (B)
Day 5: Wangdue Phodrang – Gaselo & Nahee village – Punakha (B, L)
Day 6: Punakha – Trongsa (B)
Day 7: Trongsa – Bumthang Biking (B)
Day 8: Bumthang Heritage Sites Tour (B)
Day 9: Bumthang – Ura Valley Biking (B)
Day 10: Departure (B)
Day 1: Arrival In Paro (D)
Arrival in Paro International Airport after one of the most breathtaking flights in the world through spectacular mountain ranges of the Himalaya. Meet your private guide and transfer to the hotel in Paro town for check-in and relax. The rest of the day is free to let you wander the magical Paro town with a short break in coffee shops in the town center. After that, move to Tachogang Lhakhang temple – the landmark of Paro holding important relics with statues of Lord Buddha, Zhabdrung, Guru Padmasambhava and Chemrizg Avalokiteshvara. Then visit the fascinating suspension bridge nearby before returning to the hotel for overnight.
Day 2: Paro – Thimphu Biking (B, L)
Leave early in the morning after a well-served breakfast to head for the most outstanding dzong of Bhutan – Rinpung Dzong (or Paro Dzong) to admire the great painting of saint Milarepa. Dating back to the 17th century, the dzong features unique Bhutanese architecture with towers and whitewashed walls. So far, the dzong has been the large Buddhist monastery as well as the fortress of the Paro District. Later, be ready for a biking trip to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan. This journey will be one of the most excellent experience cycling through the wonderful landscapes with rice paddies, rivers, majestic forests, and hills spotted with stupas and monasteries. Enjoy an exciting lunch on the wayside along the route. There will be a short visit for you to the landmark heritage relics at some spots before landing to Thimphu to check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Thimphu.
Biking route: 60 km
Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing (B, L)
A full day to explore the real charm as well as the fascinating of Thimphu. Today’s first stopover in the National Memorial Chorten which is the most iconic relic of the kingdom. It was constructed in 1974 by the patron of the Royal Queen Mother in a memorial to the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Holding the quintessence of Bhutan history, the stupas displays great Buddhist paintings and statues. Then do not miss the chance to witness the 13 arts and crafts of Bhutan at the National Folk Heritage Museum. With a variety of Bhutanese cultural material and way of life, the museum will fulfill your knowledge of Bhutanese traditional lifestyle in the rural area. Afterward, enjoy a cozy lunch served in the museum. One thing you should notice that the museum is closed on government holidays.
Afternoon enjoys the city’s main highlight in Tashichho Dzong – a Buddhist monastery on the western bank of Wang Chu river. It was first built in the 13th century, through the long time of the history that was damaged by several factors. It was not until 1968, the dzong was restored and completed by His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck followed by the traditional architecture and became the seat of Government. Spend time to wander around the monastery to indulge in the fresh as well as the tranquil ambiance surrounded by the lush gardens and well-kept lawns. If there is time, visit the Centenary Farmer’s Market which is about 10 minutes drive from the downtown city to witness the lively atmosphere of local people selling their agriculture products on vendors and colorful stalls. Here listen to your guide for the introduction of the local staples to widen your knowledge about Bhutan organic products. Overnight in Thimphu.
Biking route: 10 km
Day 4: Thimphu – Royal Botanical Park – Dochula Pass – Wangdue Biking (B)
Day 4 begins with exciting cycling to Wangdue. Depart at 7 am in the morning from Thimphu. This 70-kilometers East drive takes you across the Royal Botanical Park which is the first botanical park in Bhutan. About 11 kilometers below the Dochula Pass, this is home to 46 species of rhododendron, 115 species of ferns, and numerous kinds of birds. Continue your journey to Bumthang, your next milestone is the Dochula Pass. Here stop for a glimpse at one of the most wonderful passes in the world. With 108 memorial stupas in honor of Bhutanese soldiers passed away in the war against India insurgents, it’s not only the kingdom’s important religious relic but also the impressive destination for visitors to capture the panoramic view to the poetic valley. Gaze out at the small settlement of Thinleygang and Messina before transfer to the homestay in Wangdue for an overnight. The rest of the day will be free to relax.
Biking route: 70kms
Day 5: Wangdue Half Day Tour – Gaselo and Nahee village – Punakha (B, L)
Today’s morning enjoy Wangdue attractions at the first stopover in Wangdue Phodrang Dzong – one of the district’s main destinations. Here listen to your guide about the construction of the historic dzong and then continue riding to the picturesque Gaselo and Nahee village located under the Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag to greet the hospitable local people. Here the villagers still remain their traditional farming methods and simple life. They are always delighted to see tourists. If you visit here during the summer, you are able to take part in planting a crop with farmers. And if you find yourself here during autumn, you will be immersed in the happiness aura of people after harvesting time. Later, enjoy a warm lunch in a local farmhouse before riding to Punakha in the afternoon.
Overnight in Punakha.
Biking route: 17km
Day 6: Punakha – Trongsa (B)
A morning of day 6 is memorable sightseeing in gorgeous Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. Ride to the Punakha Dzong to witness the country’s Great Palace of Happiness. Additionally, take the chance to walk in the longest suspension bridge of the country near the Dzong. A great option for today: join in amazing rafting for an hour along the river to admire the wildness of vegetation on the riverside. Afterward, be ready for the driver to pick you up to transfer to Trongsa in the afternoon.
Overnight in Trongsa.
Day 7: Trongsa – Bumthang Biking (B)
In the morning take a ride to explore the stunning attractions of the Trongsa district. The first stop today is Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong (or fortress) of Bhutan located in the center of the kingdom. Like almost dzongs throughout the country, the Trongsa Dzong is the seat of government and headquarter of the Trongsa district. From the top of the fortress offers a spectacular view to the valley and mountain ranges running one after another covered with drifting clouds above. Next, enjoy lunch to power up your afternoon biking to Bumthang for a far distance. Along the route, we can stop and visit some peaceful villages and meet the ethnic villagers.
Biking route: 79 km
Day 8: Bumthang Heritage Sites Biking Tour (B)
A full day to visit the outstanding heritage sites in Bumthang. This morning head for Jakar Dzong, the fabulous dzong in the heart of Bhutan. This dzong is well-known as the “Castle of the White Bird”, it is smaller than the one in Trongsa, Thimphu or Punakha but offers a wonderful view to the beautiful Chamkhar valley shrouded in the legend of the construction. Then drive up to the Jambey Lhakhang to visit the temple which is considered one of 108 temples built by the Tibetan King on a single day to subdue an ogress. Later, drive up to the Kurje Lhakhang – an important temple complex which is one of the most sacred sites of Bhutan. Here listen to your guide to provide yourself the educational and insightful narrative about the construction of three temples in the complexity and the myths that surround them. Afternoon, gaze out at Thangbi Lhakhang, Tamzhing Monastery before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Bumthang.
Biking route: 25 km
Day 9: Bumthang – Ura Valley Biking (B)
After breakfast in the morning, ride south to the picturesque Ura Valley. The 63 kilometers drive takes you to the traditional village with cobblestone walkways reminds about the medieval atmosphere. Indulge yourself in the breathtaking vista through pine forests, meet and talk with local people and visit Ura Lhakhang before returning to the Bumthang valley in the afternoon.
Overnight in Bumthang.
Biking route: 63 km
Day 10: Departure (B)
After breakfast, check-out at the hotel and transfer to the airport for a flight to your departure. The trip ends. Hope you enjoyed it and wish that we could serve you next time when it comes to Bhutan tours.
